What do I do??? Dropping Frames - please read

[cbmusic]

I've been capturing vid on this computer successfully for a year now - sometimes files 2 1/2 hours long without a single dropped frame - and now all of a sudden I'm getting dropped frames. This is everything I've done to try and correct the problem but nothing has worked. I thought I'd come here before replacing the motherboard.

the tape - went straight from tv, still dropped frames

the tape player - went straight from vid cam, still dropped frames

a/v cables - still dropped frames

ADVC 100 - recorded straight from the vid cam into computer via firewire connection, still dropped frames

firewire cable - replaced it, still dropped frames

hard drive - reformatted drive, still dropped frames; changed hard drives, still dropped frames

hard drive cable - switched cables, still dropped frames

swap box - bypassed swap box, still dropped frames

firewire card - replaced, still dropped frames

DMA/PIO - hard drives in DMA mode 6, still drop frames

Can you think of anything else to check before I buy a new hard drive?

Thanks!!!

[gadgetguy]

Use task manager and see what processes are running when attempting to capture.
Does it drop frames consistantly or does it do it in spurts?
Is your capture hard drive separate from your OS drive?
When was the last time you cleaned out the inside of your computer?
Verify that all of your cooling fans are operating.

I doubt that a new hard drive is going to fix the problem. If it's a hardware issue, I think it's more likely to be a cpu overheating issue or bad/overheated memory.

[cbmusic]

Use task manager and see what processes are running when attempting to capture.
Does it drop frames consistantly or does it do it in spurts?
Is your capture hard drive separate from your OS drive?
When was the last time you cleaned out the inside of your computer?
Verify that all of your cooling fans are operating.

I doubt that a new hard drive is going to fix the problem. If it's a hardware issue, I think it's more likely to be a cpu overheating issue or bad/overheated memory.

I think you're onto something there, gadgetguy!!! I was just speaking with a friend about this situation and he said that he would replace the memory before swapping out the motherboard. And then it dawned on me - right before I started having these problems, right in the middle of a capture, my computer froze up and there was a high pitched squeal. When I restarted, I got a blue screen error message that said something about a memory kernell something or nother - I took it as a fluke. Now that I've done all this testing, I think I need new RAM. I capture without any problems for about 15 minutes, then I start droppingc frames - I think the reason is that I've got enough "healthy" RAM to be able to caputure for 15 minutes before my system needs to dip into the swap file for resources RESULTING IN A DROPPED FRAME!!! Over an hours time, 99 dropped frames seems about right, doesn't it?

Your response?

[gadgetguy]

Over an hours time, 99 dropped frames seems about right, doesn't it?

No, Zero would be about right.
If you have multiple memory chips try removing one and see if the problem goes away or gets worse. If it gets worse, swap chips and see if it improves. Assuming your computer specs are up to date, you shouldn't have any problem with even half as much memory. (Obviously, if it's all on a single chip then you can't do this test, but memory is pretty cheap and easy enough to replace to test.)

[cbmusic]

This isn't looking good. Both stickes perform poorly.

I have a (2) sticks of 512

Took one out

Performed poorly

Replaced it with the other stick

Still performed poorly

Could both sticks have gone bad? Is 512 not enough?

I typically capture using an ADVC 100 via my firewire connection. With that kind of scenerio, how much influence does my vid card have on the process? In other words, think it might be worth replacing?

Thanks!!!

[redwudz]

512MB is generally enough. If you had quality memory, it may be lifetime guaranteed. At least mine is. Check with the manufacturer.

Just my opinion, but you don't need OCZ or Geil top of the line memory unless you are overclocking and pushing it to the max. But consider Corsair, Mushkin or one of the major brands. Make sure it has a lifetime guarantee. I use Corsair Value Select memory in a couple of my computers, good, but inexpensive. You can get it for less than $60US for 512MB.

EDIT: You might want to consider what took out your RAM if it has failed. Is your power supply up to capacity, do you have a surge protector on the computer?

[cbmusic]

It drops no matter which stick of RAM I use. I'm going to go buy a GB of RAM and put it in - if I still get dropped frames, build a new system. Thanks!!!

[gadgetguy]

It drops no matter which stick of RAM I use.

It is unlikely that both stcks went bad, (not impossible, but unlikely). The point of the experiment was to witness a change in hopes of narrowing down the cause. Since you didn't see a change it's unlikely that the memory is at fault. Now if you're saying that the problem got worse regardless of which stick you used then I would have to go back to Task Manager and find out if your memory is being taxed and if so, by what processes.
Redwuz brings up a good point. An underpowered or faulty power supply can cause all sorts of strange problems. Over time power supplies accumilate dust and crud on the inside causing overheating, even though it "looks" OK from the outside. This is another rather cheap and easily replacable item to check.
Also keep in mind that we haven't ruled out a software problem yet and patience is the cornerstone of troubleshooting.

Of course, if you've been looking for an excuse to build a new computer, this is an excellent opportunity.

[mikiem]

Video capture isn't memory or cpu intensive, but does rely on a smooth stream of data to disc -- a decade ago I was capturing successfully with an ISA card.

FWIW, I'd look at anything interupting, or that could interupt that flow of data. If you're in winxp, check the services that are running -- there are several guides on-line, though do a restore point first before playing. Firewall & virus software can have effects, as can getting infected - run virus scans. I hate to say it, but perhaps back-up in case, then do a fresh install of windows, install your capture hardware, & try it then, before adding any updates or other software. If it works, then try after updates, software install etc., If it doesn't work, restore backup.

[gadgetguy]

Video capture isn't memory or cpu intensive, but does rely on a smooth stream of data to disc...

True, but damaged/bad mamory or damaged/overheated cpu can cause delays. We went down this path because of an error indicating a memory fault, but as stated above we haven't ruled out software as the cause. We actually haven't ruled out anything yet.

[cbmusic]

Video capture isn't memory or cpu intensive, but does rely on a smooth stream of data to disc -- a decade ago I was capturing successfully with an ISA card.

FWIW, I'd look at anything interupting, or that could interupt that flow of data. If you're in winxp, check the services that are running -- there are several guides on-line, though do a restore point first before playing. Firewall & virus software can have effects, as can getting infected - run virus scans. I hate to say it, but perhaps back-up in case, then do a fresh install of windows, install your capture hardware, & try it then, before adding any updates or other software. If it works, then try after updates, software install etc., If it doesn't work, restore backup.

A new Win XP install completely corrected the problem.

With a new install I was able to capture an hour and a half of video drop-free.

Went back to the old install, dropped 69 frames within 25 minutes.

So.... considering all of the components are the same regardless of which install (RAM, Hard drives, Processor, etc.) what does that teach us? If I can fix my old install (didn't dare overwrite) that'd be great but for now the new will do.

As for background services, etc. - this machine is tweaked to the hilt - dedicated audio/video computer that has never seen the internet - and until the other day, never glitched.

I regularly record 8 tracks of audio on this machine at once - mixdown sessions run between 24 - 32 tracks with effects on about a fourth of them - with video I've I've been able to catch 1hr and a half or more glitch-free since the dawn of time. I've made no changes to my computer whatsoever, it just happened.

cONfuSInG!!!

[gadgetguy]

So.... considering all of the components are the same regardless of which install (RAM, Hard drives, Processor, etc.) what does that teach us?

That it's not a hardware problem.
So we're back to trying to find out what else is running during capsfer that is causing the lost frames. Again, Task manager is your friend. If you go to the Processes tab and click on the CPU header you can watch what processes are using processor time. See if something corresponds to when you drop frames.

Even though it's a "safe" machine, I would still do a virus and spyware scan. (These days, you never know what might get installed doing the most innocent things.) There's also the chance of a damaged registry, or a damaged driver.

I once had a block go bad on a harddrive where one of my programs was stored that gave unexpected results. Re-installing that software, without uninstalling the old so it would be sure not to write to the same location, fixed it. (For a while, the drive continued to deteriorate)

[mikiem]

If it helps at all...

There's a Microsoft app buried on win install discs (forgotten where I 1st found it ) called windiff. In cases of similar issues I've had, I've run windiff comparring winxp folders between 2 winXP installs. It's rather tedious, so I split it up rather then all folders at once, but it has successfully picked up on individual files that had been replaced, and restoring them has sometimes cured problems.

And, sometimes there are errors caused when winxp starts or stops, or a cluster goes bad on the HD. Then often the best cure is a recent backup.